MUSCLE POWER Rowers from 125 universities, clubs and high schools from across the U.S. and the world will power across Mission Bay on April 5-6 to demonstrate their competitive prowess. This year, a new entry from Hong Kong will be among those competitors. Page 4
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THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014
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Faulconer’s temporary fill-in to be named by council on April 7
By DAVE SCHWAB
TRIBUTE TO 100 YEARS Community leaders and civic club members unveiled this stunning momunent on March 22 to commemorate the rich, long history of Mission Beach in the first of a months-long series of gala events. Courtesy photo
Mission Beach centennial celebration formally gets under way
On Monday, April 7, the City Council will choose from among 18 candidates to temporarily replace the District 2 City Council seat vacated by now-mayor Kevin Faulconer. “Each person will get three minutes to speak before the council,” said Katie Keach, deputy chief of staff for council District 3. Keach said selecting Faulconer’s replacement is the only item on the agenda. At a recent press conference, District 3 Councilman Todd Gloria noted Faulconer’s replacement will be “sworn in immediately. We need a fully staffed council.” The appointee will serve until December, when the newly elected City Council
representative for District 2 will be seated. That interim councilmember will have the discretion to retain or replace existing District 2 staff, said Tracy Cambre, communications director for District 2. Remaining District 2 staff are Thyme Curtis, chief of staff; Chet Barfield, council representative; and Nicole Capretz and Steve Hadley, council representatives. Faulconer was sworn in March 3 and will serve until his term expires in December of 2016. The 18 candidates for the temporary District 2 Council
SEE APPOINTMENT >> PG. 7
The Mission Beach centennial celebrations continue with the Taste of Mission Beach event on Thursday, April 10 from 5 to 9 p.m. Eighteen restaurants in the community are participating, including The Mission, Rubicon Deli, Sandbar Sports Bar& Grill, Bahia Resort Hotel’s Café Bahia, and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa’s The Atoll. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at six locations leading up to the event: Luigi’s at the Beach (3210 Mission Blvd.), Cheesy Express (3219 Mission Blvd.), Starkeys BBQ (3231 Mission Blvd.), Olive Café (805 Santa Clara Place), Saska’s Steak & Seafood
SEE CONDOS >> PG. 4
MOMENTOUS OCCASION Civic leaders were joined by Mayor Kevin Faulconer, second from left, and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, left, in a plaque dedication ceremony March 22 to commemorate the centennial of Mission Beach. Courtesy photo
Planners tackle issue of parking headaches A new committee being formed by Pacific Beach Planning Group (PBPG) to study parking issues is hosting its first organizational meeting Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. at Discover Pacific Beach, 1503 Garnet Ave. The response to the parking committee’s formation has been so positive that the new group will be larger than expected, said Elvin Lai, president/CEO of Ocean Park Inn, Inc. at 710 Grand Ave., who is spearheading committee formation. “There are a total of 16 members, including myself,” said Lai, who is
also president of Discover PB, the community’s business improvement district (BID). “We’re going to hit the ground running.” Formed in 1997, Discover PB is San Diego’s second largest BID, with 1,300 member businesses in Pacific and Mission beaches. “We had a lot of great candidates willing to volunteer,” said Lai of parking committee formation, adding the effort under way in Pacific and Mission beaches to create an eco-district promoting greener and more sustainable development is “really energiz-
By DAVE SCHWAB
ing” local residents. The new parking committee also includes Dan Mazzella of Discover PB; Chris Olson and Paul Falcone of PB Plan Group; Adam Meyer and Robert Citrano of PB Town Council; and residents-at-large Katie Matchett, Richard Walwood, Ambrose Wong, Devon Arnold, Paula Ferraco, John Shannon, Linda Tarke, Billy Ramirez, Gordon Frohlich and Greg Daunoras. “One criterion for moving the
SEE PARKING >> PG. 5
CHANGE AFOOT The Green Flash is under new ownership after being a staple in the beach community for years. Meanwhile, longtime owners of the China Inn on Hornblend Street have closed their doors. Photo by Dave Schwab
Turnover is afoot as Green Flash is sold, China Inn shutters By DAVE SCHWAB The Pacific Beach restaurant scene is a lively one, with the menu always changing. One longtime staple, The Green Flash, at 701 Thomas Ave. on the boardwalk, recently changed ownership, and another, China Inn, at 877 Hornblend St., is history. Named for the green-spot optical phenomenon occurring just before or after sunset, The Green Flash has reportedly been sold by longtime owners the Gemora family to Michael
Bezarra, who also owns Cabo Cantina and PB Cantina. Longtime China Inn owners Judy and Andy Kim closed shop after losing their lease on March 31. The Kims said they will be going on a deserved vacation before returning and possibly relocating to an as-yet-to-bedetermined spot. “We’re going to take a rest;
SEE CHANGES >> PG. 5